Free Kristi Gold - Hotel Marchand 04 by Damage Control Page A

discovered she was anything but. She demanded to be an equal partner, not simply arm candy. So far, finding those traits in the opposite sex had been elusive—except for Pete.
    For a little while, she’d allowed herself to hope that he could come up to her ideal. That he could love her the way her father had loved her mother, with an intensity that had always left Renee awed. She’d been a fool to have hoped. A fool to believe that she would ever find that soul-deep, undeniable love.
    “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
    So deep in her thoughts, Renee realized she’d basically missed the vows, but she could never miss the look that passed between Ella and Evan right before he bent his head and kissed her. An indisputable look of love.
    The kiss went on longer than most post-nuptial kisses, prompting the minister to clear her throat. “Congratulations, and may you have a happy future.”
    Thankfully taking the hint, the couple finally parted, and as Renee and Pete followed them into the lobby, Renee noticed Evan didn’t look the least bit self-conscious. Poor Ella did, particularly when Evan clasped her wrist and began tugging her away from the front entrance.
    “Where are you two going?” Pete asked, voicing Renee’s question before she could get a word out of her partially open mouth.
    Evan continued up the staircase without missing a beat. “I figured you were going to tell us to get a room, and I already did. Besides, you guys don’t have much time to be alone. You don’t need us ruining your party.”
    Evan was definitely on the matchmaking track, Renee decided. It seemed everyone was bent on throwing her and Pete together, including her own mother.
    “Where are your bags?” Pete asked.
    “We bought toothbrushes.” He grinned. “Who needs clothes on their honeymoon?”
    Pete sent a glance her way before calling to Evan again. “How long are you going to be holed up here, Pryor?”
    “We’ll be back at the hotel tomorrow.” Evan finally paused and faced them. “You have the whole suite to yourself tonight, Pete, so take advantage of it.”
    With that, Ella sent them a wave and a smile, and the couple disappeared up the staircase and out of sight.
    Renee stared at Pete for a few moments before she said, “What now?”
    He loosened his bow tie. “Looks like it’s just you and me sharing that limo back to New Orleans.”
    To quote what had been one of her father’s favorite sayings, she’d be motier foux —half crazy—if she agreed to get into an otherwise unoccupied vehicle with a man whose sexuality was so toxic, he should be registered with Hazmat. But then, where Pete was concerned, she’d often lost sight of her sanity. And what choice did she have? Walk the twenty or so miles back into the city? Try to hail a cab in this tiny town that could barely be designated as a bend in the road? Not hardly.
    Renee smoothed a hand down her winter-weight green suit, firmed up her resolve to resist him and motioned toward the door. “Let’s go.”
     

    “W HERE TO NOW ?” the concierge asked as he opened the limo door.
    “Back to the hotel,” Pete answered for Renee, earning him a cutting glare from his date for the evening. At least that’s how he saw this—as a date—even if she didn’t. “We can have that drink we discussed earlier,” he added, expecting a protest but surprisingly receiving none. Instead, she slid inside the limo without saying a word. So far, so good.
    Before Pete could climb in behind Renee, Luc asked, “Are the bride and groom on their way out?”
    “They’re staying here tonight before they return to the hotel.”
    “Is there something wrong with their accommodations?”
    Pete didn’t like the guy’s defensive tone one bit. “They decided to honeymoon in a place where they don’t have a four-year-old hanging out in the next room.”
    Luc mulled that over a moment. “Makes sense. You said they’ll be back tomorrow?”
    “Yeah.